Cub Tracks steps in it

Cheech and Chong didn’t, but Theo Epstein did. Check out the top line on the dance card. Can you say “conflict of interest?” I knew you could. How ‘passive’ are those investments now, and how ‘passive’ will they be as Epstein commences ‘advising’ ‘Rob the poor’?

I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess that this is part of a crash course to team ownership that Epstein is getting. But it’s ripe for abuse. And it isn’t like Epstein has failed to abuse any opportunity he has been given, so far. That’s not exactly a scoop, is it?

Time will tell.

Here’s Cub Tracks News and Notes, your every-other-day-except-on-weekends escape from the humdrum. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. (In the comments section, use @ before and after your remarks @ to produce sarcasm font. In the text body. It doesn’t work in the headlines.)

Arctos Sports Partners is run by managing partners Ian Charles and David “Doc” O’Connor, who has known Epstein for 15 years. The firm makes passive minority investments in pro sports organizations in North American and Europe. — Paul Sullivan

The Cubs have operated this winter as if they expect the fans to react the same way they did before the Cubs were a first-class, winning organization — except it’s different now. The World Series title changed everything. — David Haugh

• (The Wall Street Journal* {$}): Theo Epstein joins private-equity firm that Is buying stakes in teams. House money. Paul Sullivan reduces the denominations. Maddie Lee explains how it works. I still see issues upon issues.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): What MLB bid to delay season says about game’s labor future. “... trust — if not good faith — already is in short supply.”
• David Haugh (670 The Score*): Pandemic or not, don’t Cubs fans deserve more than what they’re getting this winter? “While Cubs try to thread the needle with an eye on the future, the Cardinals are building a playoff roster.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): The more I dig into the Cubs Kohl Stewart signing, the more I like it. “I kinda feel like he’s more of an experienced prospect than anything else.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Jake Arrieta ‘Looked Very Good’ during showcase, reunion doubtful due to money. “... Arrieta’s salary demands are probably more than the Cubs want to spend.”
• Ben Clemens (Fangraphs*): The Cubs jam Joc Pederson into their 2021 plans. “In his six-plus seasons in the majors, he’s put together four solid seasons...”
• Bryan Smith (Bleacher Nation*): Four prospects facing a big spring training, because I can’t figure out where they’ll start in 2021. “... the elimination of a short-season affiliate and reduction of rounds in the 2020 draft will create odd logjams and thin spots for every organization.”
• Keith Law (The Athletic {$}): Just-missed list: The MLB prospects right behind Keith Law’s 2021 Top 100. “Miguel Amaya has everyday upside...”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs bestow impressive comparison on new prospect Reginald Preciado. “He reminds us a lot of Kris Bryant in high school ...”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): These five debuts were best in Cubs history. “For this list, we focused on the Modern Era (since 1900) and looked at true debut campaigns (meaning, the first year a player appeared for the Cubs).”
• Gabriel Burns (Atlanta Journal and Constitution*): Braves sign reliever Carl Edwards to minor-league deal. “Edwards, 29, will compete for a bullpen spot in spring training.”

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.